Eczema is a common disorder of the skin. Millions of people all over the world are affected by it, although it is most common in developed nations. Usually, eczema is caused by some sort of inflammation. There is a strong genetic link to it, but other factors can also cause it. Eczema leads to the skin drying out, which leads to blisters forming that burn and itch. Most of the time, the face, legs, neck, wrists, arms, and hands are most severely affected. What few people know, however, is that there are a number of common foods that trigger eczema.
The Causes of Eczema:
Eczema is an extreme reaction of the skin to certain triggers. Because it becomes apparent on the outside of the skin, many people also automatically assume that these triggers must be external. They often are, with common culprits such as certain fabrics, detergents, and other common household chemicals. However, there are also a number of common foods that trigger eczema, and they do so when you consume them rather than just touch them.
If you have any kind of allergy, and eczema is a kind of allergy, you must make sure that you look at your diet as well. This is so that you can avoid the common triggers of eczema. If, after eliminating detergents, smoke, and dust, you still experience the condition, it may be time to start looking at what you eat.
Common Foods that Trigger Eczema:
If your eczema is indeed caused by an allergy to certain food items, you need to be aware of this. This is also because it is possible for allergies to worsen over time, which means that you may “only” experience eczema now, but it could develop into full anaphylaxis over time. Some of the common foods that trigger eczema are:
- Caffeine
- Dairy and other milk products
- Wheat
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Acidic fruits
- Red meat
- Chemical food additives (sodium metabisulphate, sodium glutamate, sodium benzoate, or tartrazine in particular)
- Seafood
- Preservatives
Impact of Nutritional Deficiency on Eczema:
Another key factor to be aware of is that you may have eczema because of a nutritional deficiency. It is very common for people who have the condition to have a vitamin B6 deficiency, in fact. Hence, you may want to consider not just avoiding the above foods and keeping a food diary to determine whether they are causes, but also to supplement with a B vitamin complex. Additionally, you should always consume plenty of water, not in the least to replace the moisture lost on the skin.
Most people who have eczema will eventually cut down on these food items. They are not technically allergic to them, but they do find that it reduces the severity of their skin condition. However, because the above foods also contain important nutritional elements such as omega 3 and calcium, you do have to make sure you don’t develop a deficiency in something else. Of interest is the fact that many people who change their diet and supplement end up not needing any pharmaceutical medication anymore.
